In a press conference today, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser urged Americans to participate virtually in the festivities surrounding President-elect Biden’s inauguration next week.
“Our goals right now are to encourage Americans to participate virtually and to protect the District of Columbia from a repeat of the violent insurrection experienced at the Capitol and its grounds on January 6,” Bowser said.
On Wednesday, Jan.6, a pro-Trump mob stormed the United States Capitol Building as the Senate and House were meeting to certify President-elect Biden’s win November. Five people died in the violent insurrection, including Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick.
Mayor Bowser, warning that “Trumpism won’t die on Jan. 20,” said that she has asked both the president and acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf to issue a pre-disaster declaration for the city.
Bowser also sent a letter to acting Secretary Wolf asking for assistance, including extending the National Special Security Event period until Jan. 24, and requesting a daily threat and intelligence briefing from the FBI through the 24th.
The head of the National Guard says at least 10,000 troops will be deployed in Washington, D.C., by Saturday, and an additional 5,000 could be requested from other states.
There are currently 6,200 Guard members in the city from D.C. and five nearby states. The increase in requests for Guard members on Monday comes as officials brace for more, possibly violent protests surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
